A delegation of Sikhs based in the United States has called upon the Bush administration to explore possibilities for providing federal funding to support programmes running the community.
A group led by Rajwant Singh, Chairman of Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) met with Jim Towey, Director, White House Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. Discussions focused on the ways that the community can access federal grants to support the various programmes to fulfil its needs and those of the wider American population.
These initiatives can range from youth development and mentoring programmes, after school care, family and child services, vocational training programmes, and health and legal clinics for new immigrants.
"You are already doing great work in your localities and it is our sincere desire that you participate in this programme and strengthen your own work," Towey told the Sikh group.
Towey, considered a key individual in the Bush administration, informed the delegation that in 2004, the office helped disburse over $2 billion to various community groups and planned to do more in 2005.
The Office has wide representation in over ten key governmental agencies, including the Departments of Labour, Education, Housing and Urban Development and Health and Human Services, he said.